Common oak tree native

The familiar common or English oak is found across most of lowland Britain. Oak timber is legendary for its strength and appearance. There are good and bad oak timber sites. It prefers heavier soil and tolerates water logging better than sessile. These have been well known to foresters for generations. Light gravelly soil tends to produce 'shaky' oak. Branches are vigorous so timber trees needs careful early pruning to produce straight knot free wood. Living oaks are picturesque in the rural landscape. Individuals may live for a thousand years and stems in excess of 375cm diameter (over 38 feet round) are known.